Man held in jail for weeks despite court-ordered release, ACLU sues over ICE partnership
Oct 16, 2025·Location: Las Vegas, NV

The ACLU of Nevada filed a lawsuit challenging Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's 287(g) partnership with ICE, which allows local officers to hold undocumented immigrants for transfer to federal agents. The case centers on Sergio Morais-Hechavarria, a 36-year-old man arrested in August who pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a stolen vehicle. After completing his criminal sentence, a judge ordered his release to an inpatient treatment facility, but Metro detained him on an ICE immigration hold for weeks beyond his release date. On October 16, Morais-Hechavarria was transferred to a Texas immigration facility without notice to his attorneys and in violation of the court order. The ACLU contends the 287(g) partnership violates Nevada state law and Dillon's rule, which prohibits local agencies from exercising powers not authorized by the Legislature.
Timeline
Sources
- ACLU challenges Las Vegas police's 287(g) immigration partnership with ICE - The Nevada Independent
thenevadaindependent.com·Oct 13, 2025·archived copy
- Metro sends man to ICE despite court order, ACLU says
reviewjournal.com·Oct 23, 2025·archived copy
- ACLU suit is challenging Metro’s agreement with ICE at the county jail
reviewjournal.com·Oct 13, 2025·archived copy
- news3lv.com
- Morais-Hechavarria v. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department - ACLU of Nevada
- ACLU of Nevada's lawsuit says local-federal immigration program is illegal
KTNV·Oct 14, 2025·archived copy
- Las Vegas judge rejects ACLU challenge of police agreement with ICE
reviewjournal.com·Mar 7, 2026·archived copy
- Metro’s cooperation with ICE violates state law, says ACLU of Nevada lawsuit - ACLU of Nevada
aclunv.org·Oct 14, 2025·archived copy
More incidents in Nevada
- Legislative aide detained by ICE at Las Vegas airport, released on bond after 15 daysOct 2, 2026 · Las Vegas, NV
- ICE arrests in Nevada hit record levels this summer, data analysis showsSep 3, 2026 · NV
- Man detained by ICE since 2008 in the U.S. challenges lack of bond hearing under class action rulingAug 24, 2026 · Las Vegas, NV
- Pregnant South African woman detained by ICE at Las Vegas airport, fiancé says arrest unexpectedAug 16, 2026 · Las Vegas, NV
- Pregnant woman detained by ICE at Las Vegas airport now held in Nevada facilityAug 5, 2026 · Las Vegas, NV
- Filipino man detained by ICE in Las Vegas, faces removal proceedingsAug 2, 2026 · Las Vegas, NV